Stanimir
| |
| Flag of Stanimir | |
| Motto: "Virtus unita fortior" | |
| Region | Meritocratic Isles |
|---|---|
| Capital | Kavelin |
| Official Language(s) | Russian |
| Leader | Nikolai Korjev |
| Population | 2,264,000,000 |
| Currency | Rouble |
| NS Sunset XML | |
Contents
The Confederated States of Stanimir
Stanimir, officially The Confederated States of Stanimir (CSS), a republic. (current estimated pop. 2,264,000,000) approx. 6,900 sq mi. Kavelin is the capital and largest city.
The term “Stanimir” has applied to The Confederated States of Stanimir, founded in 1981, The United Socialist States of Stanimir from 1927 to 1981, and is used informally to describe the province of the former Zhecklztanian Empire up until 1927.
Land and People
Major Geographic Regions
The VelikolEpna Mountains stretch across the southern border, giving them immense historical importance in Stanimir’s bloodstained history as a natural defense against invading armies. A small tourism industry has been built around the elaborate medieval fortresses nestled amongst the mountains.
The Oksana Forest comprises Stanimir’s central region, and is home to most of its citizens. With incredibly strict environmental controls in place to preserve the forest, the population is heavily concentrated in large cities. It is therefore not uncommon for a Stanimirian to find himself on a bustling city street, lined with towering skyscrapers, only to take a ten-minute walk and find himself in an area of lush forest. The capital city, Roderick, is located in this geographical region.
Across the northern border of Stanimir is an expanse of sparsely populated tundra. The Northern Tundra was historically used as a place to keep political dissenters and other incorrigibles by the old regimes. When CSS was formed, however, the Northern Tundra simply became home to the descendants of these politicals, and is home to Stanimir’s most outspoken citizens.
Ethnicity and Population
The vast majority of the population is made of Stanimirians (82%), with the rest of the population a combination of various other Slavic groups. Officially, the government recognizes over 90 ethnic groups.
The population of Stanimir has been steadily rising since the fall of The United Socialist States of Stanimir. This is generally attributed to an increased male life expectancy and improved economic conditions, including an intense government focus on social issues, health, and welfare. A small but steady stream of immigrants also supplements the population growth.
Political Subdivisions
The bureaucracy-obsessed government of Stanimir has divided the nation into hundreds of republics. Nearly every city has its own representatives in the Stanimirian Duma (Senate). While this allows for a great amount of representation for each citizen, it takes the Duma an alarmingly long time to reach a decision, and a common tactic for Stanimirian politicians is to come to their knees and beg other representatives to give in so that they can go home to their families again, if only to remember what their children look like.
Relgion and Education
The majority of Stanimirians have no religious afiliation, but those that do are Eastern Orthodox Christians. There is also a small Jewish population, and a growing interest among the people in Eastern religions.
Education for all citizens is compulsory through high school, and the university has been described as the cornerstone of Stanimirian social life.
Economy
After the collapse of the old USSS, Stanimir retained many of its economic policies. The average income tax rate was 100%, all businesses were owned by the government, and private enterprise was outlawed. A Duma-appointed council made all economic decisions with no regard to actual market forces. This had prevented the Stanimirian economy from reaching its full potential for decades after the CSS was founded.
Economic reforms under President Korjev eased economic restrictions considerably. While the tax rate remains at 100%, a massive Automobile Manufacturing industry dominates the nation's now powerful economy.
Rich mineral deposits in the VelikolEpna Mountains and dense forests provide ample natural resources for the Stanimirian economy.
Government
The Stanimirian Constitution was ratified in 1981. It provides for independent executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Each member of the Stanimirian government is elected by popular vote, although a disproportionate amount of power falls in the hands of the President. The President has the power to dissolve the Senate and even to call off elections if he so chooses; however, given the Stanimirians’ long history of violent protest--and former national motto, “Freedom… or else"--such an event seems highly unlikely. Indeed, it is often speculated whether the socially minded government actually cares about its people or is simply frightened of them.
After years of political stagnation, former CSS General and Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikolai Korjev gained the presidency in a landslide election. Korjev, head of the Free Republican Party, pushed a platform of increased economic freedoms for the country and brought an end to Stanimir's long history of total isolationism. He is currently serving out an indefinate term.
